Insulated well cover

ABSTRACT

A cover fabricated from an insulating material for enclosing the open upper end of a well defined by a tile or the like and of the type commonly used for housing the water connections for mobile cover and the like so that the interior of the well can be heated and the cover will help to retain the heat in the well to prevent the water in the pipes from freezing. The cover has a top section and an integral side wall depending from the outer periphery of the top section to define a generally dome-shaped configuration. The side wall has an annular recess on the inner periphery thereof opening to the bottom edge of the side wall to receive the upper rim of the tile when the ocver is positioned on the open end of the well. The side wall has a plurality of angularly spaced, vertical slots which extend upwardly from the bottom edge a predetermined distance and which permit the side wall to flex inwardly and outwardly. An enlarged aperture formed in the side wall extends upwardly from the bottom edge thereof above the slots a distance sufficient to permit a water line to extend from within the tile. A band member is disposed around the side wall and has outwardly bent ends that receive a threaded fastener which when tightened brings the bent ends toward one another to reduce the diameter of the band and to compress the slotted side wall portion inwardly against the rim of the tile to secure the cover thereto.

United States Patent 1 Valley 51 Sept. 4, i973 1 1 INSULATED WELL COVER[76] inventor: Francis E. Valley, H-7 Maude Ln.,

Mount Morris, Mich. 48458 [22] Filed: Dec. 2, 1971 [21] Appl. No.:204,268

[52] US. Cl. 166/65, 166/95, 138/96 R [51] Int. Cl E2lb 33/03 [58] Fieldof Search 166/93, 65, 95, 97,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,499,574 3/1970 Yates, Jr.220/55 AN 2,365,888 12/1944 Linderfelt et a1. 138/96 R 3,270,818 9/1966Pugh, Jr.... 166/88 1,509,643 9/1924 Forsberg 166/88 2,558,023 6/1951Walsh 138/89 2,705,336 4/1955 Wilson 138/96 T 2,708,950 5/1955Averett... 138/96 R 3,568,769 3/1971 Maas 166/88 Primary Examiner-JamesA. Leppink Attorney-Robert C. Hauke, Ernest I. Gifford et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A cover fabricated from an insulating material forenclosing the open upper end of a well defined by a tile or the like andof the type commonly used for housing the water connections for mobilecover and the like so that the interior of the well can be heated andthe cover will help to retain the heat in the well to prevent the waterin the pipes from freezing. The cover has a top section and an integralside wall depending from the outer periphery of the top section todefine a generally dome-shaped configuration. The side wall has anannular recess on the inner periphery thereof opening to the bottom edgeof the side wall to receive the upper rim of the tile when the ocver ispositioned on the open end of the well. The side wall has a plurality ofangularly spaced, vertical slots which extend upwardly from the bottomedge a predetermined distance and which permit the side wall to flexinwardly and outwardly. An enlarged aperture formed in the side wallextends upwardly from the bottom edge thereof above the slots a distancesufficient to permit a water line to extend from within the tile. A bandmember is disposed around the side wall and has outwardly bent ends thatreceive a threaded fastener which when tightened brings the bent endstoward one another to reduce the diameter of the band and to compressthe slotted side wall portion inwardly against the rim of the tile tosecure the cover thereto.

4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of theInvention The present invention relates to wells of the type commonlyused to house water connections for mobile homes or the like and, inparticular, to an integrally formed cover for such wells fabricated froma material having insulating qualities.

2. Description of the Prior Art Today the use of mobile homes and thelike has be come popular and many mobile home parks have beenconstructed. While many of these facilities are of a semipermanentnature, wherein a mobile home is placed at a site for a relatively longperiod of time and the utilities such as gas, water and electricity arebrought to the home and are connected thereto in a conventional manner,provision still must be made for easily disconnecting the utilities ifthe mobile home is to be moved to a different site.

A particular problem at such facilities is the supplying of water tomobile homes. Presently, water is normally piped underground beneath thefrost line and communicated to individual wells associated with eachmobile home site, with the well opening to the surface of the ground foreasy access. The well is usuallydefined by a tile and has a watercarrying pipe extending to the top open end of the well, with some typeof valving means therein which permits the connection of a second watercarrying conduit to the pipe such that the water may be easily connectedto the water inlet fittings on the mobile home. The well may also beprovided with a second valving means disposed at the bottom of the wellfor turning the water off at the bottom of the well below the frostline.

If the well is left open during the winter months, snow and the likewill enter the well, and, due to the depth of the well, the snow isdifficult to remove. In addition, the pipe may freeze, resulting inunnecessary expense and inconvenience due to the breakage of the pipe.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a means for preventing water,snow and the like from entering the well, while at the same timeproviding an insulated cover for the well so that upon the installationof a heating element the water in the pipes will be maintained abovefreezing temperatures. Such a cover should be inexpensive, simple toconstruct and should not interfere with easy accessibility to the wellwhen it is desired to make connections or disconnections wit pipescontained within the well.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention, which will be describedsubsequently in greater detail, comprises an insulated cover adapted tobe positioned on a well to prevent the entrance of snow, water and thelike therein, as well as to provide insulation to aid in preventing thefreezing of the water within the well pipe.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved insulated cover for wells.

Other objects, advantages, and applications of the present inventionwill become apparent to those skilled in the art of well covers when theaccompanying description of some examples of the best modes contemplatedfor practicing the invention is read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The description herein makes referenceto the accompanying drawing wherein like reference numerals refer tolike parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through a well and a wellcover constructed in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the well cover illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, longitudinal cross-sectional view of amodification of the well cover illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the well cover illustrated in FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawing andparticularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein there is illustrated an example ofthe present invention in the form of a cover 10 adapted to enclose theopen end 12 of a well 14. The well 14 is formed from a tile or the likewith a cylindrical side wall 15 and a radially enlarged upper portiondefining a rim 16 on which the cover 10 is securely mounted. The lowerend of the well 14, which is approximately five feet below the surface20 of the ground, to be below the frost line where this is necessary,preferably opens to a bed of gravel 18 so that any rain water seepinginto the well 14 may drain into the ground. A water pipe 26 extendsthrough the open bottom of the well 14 and is adapted to be connected toa main water supply (not shown) to communicate water to a user, such asa mobile home 28, through a flexible hose 46. A vertically disposed pipe30 is connected to the pipe 26 through a right angle joint 32 and anon-off valve 34 of a conventional construction. The valve 34 is disposedbelow the frost line and is controlled by a handle 36 located at theopen end 12 of the well 14 and connected to the valve 34 by any suitablemeans, such as an elongated rod 38. Thus, when it is desired to shut offwater flow between the pipes 26 and 30, the handle 36 is rotated toclose the valve 34. This would be necessary if, for instance, the mobilehome 28 were to be disconnected and moved during the winter months.

The upper end of the vertically disposed pipe 30 has a second on-offvalve 40 operated by a handle 42 in the conventional manner. The exhaustside of the valve 40 has a fitting 44 which permits easy coupling to theflexible hose 46. The hose 46 is adapted to extend out from the cover 10for connection to a suitable water inlet fitting 48 on the mobile home28.

The cover 10, which is preferably fabricated from a material having goodinsulating qualities, such as fiber glass, comprises a top wall 50,preferably dome-shaped in appearance, having an integral side wall 52depending from the outer periphery of the top wall 50. The lower portion54 of the cover 10 is preferably thickened and has an annular recess 58formed on the inner surface and extending upwardly from the bottom edge56 of the side wall 52 and terminating in an annular shoulder 60 whichabuts a shoulder 61 defined by the upper edge of the rim 16 when thecover 10 is positioned on top of the well 14 to close the opening 12.

As can best be seen in FIG. 2, the lower annular section of the sidewall lower portion 54 defining the annular recess 58 has a plurality ofangularly spaced slots 62 extending upwardly from the bottom edge 56 ofthe cover and completely around the outer perimeter of the cover 10 toform flexible fingers 64. Each slot 62 extends completely through thelower wall portion 54 and upwardly from the bottom edge 56 a distanceapproximately equal to the height of the recess 58. The inner diameterof the cover 10, as measured at the recess 58, is approximately equal tothe outer diameter of the rim 16, such that the rim 16 will receive thecover 10. A band 68, of a metal or plastic construction, is disposedaround the fingers 64 and preferably has a length slightly less than theperimeter of the lower side wall portion 54 in which the fingers 64 areformed. The ends 70 and 72 of the band 68 are bent outwardly, and eachend 70 and 72 has an axially aligned threaded bore which accommodates athreaded fastener 74 such that when the fastener 74 is tightened the twoopposing bent ends 70 and 72 of the band 68 are brought closer to oneanother, decreasing the diameter of the band 68 and tightening the band68 around the fingers 64 to exert a compressive force thereagainst tosecurely retain the cover 10 on the rim 16.

The wall section 54 is further provided with an enlarged aperture 78that extends up from the bottom edge 56 of the cover 10 and above theflexible fingers 64 a sufficient distance to permit the hose 46 toextend therethrough without interference from the band 68. Although notshown, the aperture 78 can be closed with an insulating material afterthe cover 10 has been positioned on the well and the hose 46 isextending therethrough to prevent cold air, snow, moisture and the likefrom entering into the well 14.

During the winter months as is common the hose 46 will be wrapped with aflexible heating element 94. One end of the heating element 94 isprovided with an electrical plug 96 and the other end can be left tohang loosely in the interior of the well 14. The insulated cover 10 willhelp retain the heat from the heating element 94 within the well 14 andwill thereby aid in preventing the water in pipe 30 from freezing.

It can be seen that by simply loosening the band 68 by means of thefastener 74, the cover 10 may be removed from the well 14 and easyaccess may be had to the valves 34 and/or 40, such that the hose 46 maybe removed therefrom if desired and the valves 34 and/or 40 may beturned on or off, as desired.

It can also be seen that the cover 10 provides insulation and protectionfor the well pipes and valves from the elements such that with the useof the heating element 94 as shown the water therewithin will not freezeduring the winter months.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 wherein there is illustrated a secondexample of the present invention in the form of a cup-shaped cover 80adapted to be secured to the rim 16 of the well 14 by means of the band68. The cover 80 is adapted to enclose the open end 12 of the well 14when it is not in use to prevent snow, rain and the like, as well asobjects such as toys etc., from entering the well 14. The cover 80 ispreferably constructed of a material having good insulating qualities,such as fiber glass, and comprises an annular top wall 82 having anintegral side wall 84 depending from the outer periphery thereof.

As can best be seen in FIG. 3, the juncture of the annular peripheralportion of the top wall 82 and the side wall 84 forms a shoulder 86 thatabuts the top edge of the rim 16 when the cover is positioned thereon.The side wall 84 has a plurality of angularly spaced, vertical slots 88extending up from the bottom edge 90 of the side wall 84 to a point justbelow the juncture of the side wall 84 and the top wall 82. The slots 88define a plurality of angularly spaced fingers 92 that are flexibleinwardly and outwardly and function in the same manner as the fingers 64hereinbefore described with respect to the cover 10 illustrated in FIGS.1 and 2. Thus, when the cover 80 is positioned on the open end 12 of thewell 14 and the rim 16 is received within the side wall 84, the fingers92 can be compressed inwardly by the band 68 to provide a snug fitbetween the cover 80 and the rim 16.

It can thus be seen that the present invention provides a well coverwhich is fabricated from a material having good insulating qualities,which is simple in its construction, design and inexpensive tofabricate.

Although two examples of the present invention have been disclosed, itis to be understood by those skilled in the art of well covers thatother fonns of the invention may be had all coming within the spirit ofthe invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A cover for enclosing a well extending into the ground apredetermined distance and within which is disposed a water carryingconduit and a heat generating means, said well having an upstanding rimportion providing a shoulder, said cover being constructed of heatinsulating material to retain heat within said well, said covercomprising:

an annular top wall and an integral side wall depending from the outerperiphery of said annular top wall, said side wall having on the innerperiphery side thereof an annular recess opening to the bottom edge ofsaid side wall and forming an annular shoulder at the top of saidrecess, said recess receiving said well rim portion when said cover ispositioned on said well, and said side wall shoulder abutting the upperedge of said rim portion to support said cover thereon, said side wallhaving a plurality of angularly spaced, vertical slots extending up fromthe bottom edge of said side wall a predetermined distance to permitsaid side wall forming said recess to flex inwardly and outwardly;

an enlarged aperture formed in said side wall and extending upwardlyfrom the bottom edge of said side wall above said slotted portion adistance sufficient to permit the passage of a water carrying conduittherethrough; and

a band member disposed around the portion of said side wall containingsaid slots and having means for reducing the diameter of said band tothereby compress said side wall portion inwardly against said rim tosecure said cover thereto.

2. In combination:

a well extending into the ground a predetermined distance below thenormal frost line,

water carrying conduit extending vertically to the top of said well andsubstantially horizontally from the top of the conduit exteriorly of thewell to be attached to a water using means,

a cover for said well completely enclosing the top thereof except for aslot permitting said conduit to extend from said well,

said cover being constructed of heat insulating material to impede theloss of heat from said well and 4. The combination as defined in claim 3wherein said means for inwardly compressing said flexible portionagainst said well comprises a band disposed around the outer peripheryof said flexible portion and means carried by said band to selectivelyreduce the diameter thereof.

i l 0 l i UNR'IED STATES PATENT owmE QER'HFECATE OF CURRECTIQN PatentNo. 3,756, 314" Dated September 4, 1973 Inventor(s) Francis E0 Valley(VFE-lOlGA) It is certified that error appears in the above-identifiedpatent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the Abstract, line 4, "cover" should be homes- In the Abstract, line13, "ocuvib" should be -cover-- Signed and sealed this 18th day ofDecember 1973,

(SEAL) Attest: H

EDWARD M. FLETCHER, JR, RENE D. TEG'TMEYER Attesting Officer ActingCommissioner of Patents

1. A cover for enclosing a well extending into the ground apredetermined distance and within which is disposed a water carryingconduit and a heat generating means, said well having an upstanding rimportion providing a shoulder, said cover being constructed of heatinsulating material to retain heat within said well, said covercomprising: an annular top wall and an integral side wall depending fromthe outer periphery of said annular top wall, said side wall having onthe inner periphery side thereof an annular recess opening to the bottomedge of said side wall and forming an annular shoulder at the top ofsaid recess, said recess receiving said well rim portion when said coveris positioned on said well, and said side wall shoulder abutting theupper edge of said rim portion to support said cover thereon, said sidewall having a plurality of angularly spaced, vertical slots extending upfrom the bottom edge of said side wall a predetermined distance topermit said side wall forming said recess to flex inwardly andoutwardly; an enlarged aperture formed in said side wall and extendingupwardly from the bottom edge of said side wall above said slottedportion a distance sufficient to permit the passage of a water carryingconduit therethrough; and a band member disposed around the portion ofsaid side wall containing said slots and having means for reducing thediameter of said band to thereby compress said side wall portioninwardly against said rim to secure said cover thereto.
 2. Incombination: a well extending into the ground a predetermined distancebelow the normal frost line, water carrying conduit extending verticallyto the top of said well and substantially horizontally from the top ofthe conduit exteriorly of the well to be attached to a water usingmeans, a cover for said well completely enclosing the top thereof exceptfor a slot permitting said conduit to extend from said well, said coverbeing constructed of heat insulating material to impede the loss of heatfrom said well and heat producing means wrapped around the exteriorportion of said conduit and extending into said well.
 3. The combinationas defined in claim 2 and in which said cover has a flexible portionextending over the exterior wall of said well and including means forinwardly compressing said flexible portion against said well to securesaid cover to said well.
 4. The combination as efined in claim 3 whereinsaid means for inwardly compressing said flexible portion against saidwell comprises a band disposed around the outer periphery of saidflexible portion and means carried by said band to selectively reducethe diameter thereof.